Wednesday, July 27 2005 20:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Under attack from Left parties for his alleged involvement in disinvestment of Centaur hotels in Mumbai, Ranjan Bhattacharya, the foster son-in-law of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today (July 27, 2005) refuted the charges made against him, saying CPM (Communist Party of India Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat had his facts 'wrong'.

"I have nothing to do with disinvestment in Centaur hotel," Bhattacharya told sources in New Delhi shortly after allegations were made by Left leaders in presence of Karat that he had a link in the deal and that his role should be investigated by CBI.

Stating that, "Prakash Karat has his facts wrong", Bhattacharya said, "I do have a relation with Calson Hotels of US. I am in a joint venture, which is the Country Inns and Suits, which is different from Radisson Hotels of Carlson chain.

"My venture has nothing to do with Radisson," he said.

A three-member panel, comprising CPM MP Dipankar Mukherjee, Supreme Court Lawyer Prashant Bhushan and journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta had alleged that the former Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie was shielding and protecting Bhattacharya.